Film

The Big Sick 15

Please note: This was screened in July 2017

Director: Michael Showalter

Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter
119 mins, 2017, USA

A breakout hit at Sundance, this sensitive, funny and truthful take on modern romance tells the real life story of the relationship between the film's writers (Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani) - a Pakistan-born comedian and his American girlfriend.

When comedian Kumail (Nanjiani) falls in love with grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan), he has to take on the expectations of his Muslim family, their 1400-year-old traditions, and his desire to forge a career in stand-up. As his parents relentlessly try to set him up with potential brides for an arranged marriage, Emily contracts a mysterious illness, and Kumail must navigate the crisis with her parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) and the emotional tug-of-war between his own family, and his heart.